The ECHO's end-of-season ratings continue with Harvey Elliott, who faces a difficult decision this summer as Liverpool close in on a club-record signing
Harvey Elliott of Liverpool celebrates with the Premier League trophy, as Liverpool are crowned the Champions of the Premier League for the 2024/25 Season, following the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield
Harvey Elliott of Liverpool celebrates with the Premier League trophy, as Liverpool are crowned the Champions of the Premier League for the 2024/25 Season, following the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield
(Image: 2025 Getty Images)
Harvey Elliott might have just won the Premier League title with his beloved Liverpool, but he will still be filled with frustration when he looks back over his 2024/25 campaign. The 22-year-old had been one of the Reds’ star players during Jurgen Klopp’s final weeks in charge and had looked poised to flourish under new head coach Arne Slot.
With the Dutchman favouring a 4-2-3-1 system, the midfielder looked set to be given a chance in his favoured number 10 position. But despite a promising pre-season, he ultimately started the season on the sidelines with Dominik Szoboszlai instead preferred in the role.
Slot could make a further change at number 10 as Liverpool continue to negotiate a club-record deal for Florian Wirtz.
But with Elliott having been linked with a move away for a number of months, the German’s potential arrival would leave his status at the club more uncertain than ever.
Admittedly, injury did not help the midfielder this time around. He had featured for just seven minutes off the bench in the opening weeks of the campaign before he was struck down by a fractured foot.
While Elliott initially hoped to return after the October international break, he instead had to wait until December to make his actual comeback from injury.
Considering the Reds were then in their best moment during their title-winning campaign following his return, it is perhaps no surprise that the playmaker found himself on the outside looking in. But even once available for selection again, it still took him time to get back up to speed.
He marked his first start of the campaign with the would-be winner in the League Cup quarter-finals away at Southampton, while he made telling impacts off the bench in January as he set up Darwin Nunez in the last-minute in a vital 2-0 win away at Brentford before scoring the winner after coming on at half-time against Lille.
Elliott scored in the Champions League again the following week when starting in a much-changed side for the dead-rubber against PSV Eindhoven as Liverpool fell to a 3-2 defeat.
But worse was to come in the FA Cup fourth round when the 22-year-old conceded the penalty that ultimately led to the Reds’ shock defeat away at Plymouth Argyle. With none of the much-changed side coming out of the cup tie with any credit, Elliott found himself left unused for four of Liverpool’s next five matches.
He would later impress again in glimpses when turned to once more as a substitute, but tellingly further starting opportunities remained elusive.
Elliott’s highlight of the season arguably came against Paris Saint-Germain when he coolly struck home with his first touch to claim 1-0 smash-and-grab victory in Paris. But with the Reds’ going on to exit the tournament at the round-of-16 on penalties to the eventual European champions, it proved to be all in vain.
And although he would set up Federico Chiesa’s last-minute consolation goal in Liverpool’s League Cup final defeat to Newcastle United in March, it was only another example of him being used sparingly by Slot until his side really needed a goal.
Elliott would have to wait until the league title was already won to make his first Premier League starts of the season, away at Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion - registering a goal and an assist in the latter.
Slot had admitted at the start of May that although it took the 22-year-old time to get back up to speed after injury, he made it known that he had been impressed by Elliott’s growing influence and improved form during the final weeks of the campaign.
But while he admitted he deserved more playing time, it is hard to see how such opportunities could be granted next season should Liverpool indeed sign Wirtz.
Pre-season can act as a fresh slate for Elliott as he looks to catch Slot’s eye. But if Wirtz is indeed signed in a club-record deal, his competition will be greater than ever.
Speaking earlier in the season, when he was first linked with a move away, Elliott made it clear that he had no desire to leave his boyhood club. But such sound-bites became more pragmatic when pushed again on his future later in the campaign. Perhaps the writing is on the wall.
Elliott will not want to leave Liverpool, the club he has dreamt of playing for all his life. But as the Reds close in on Wirtz, he will be fully aware that an unavoidable, difficult decision awaits him this summer. Left with little choice, his head might end up having to rule his heart.
Season rating: 6